Top Threats to Cloud Computing Survey Report 2026
CSA's 2026 Top Threats report reveals a decisive change in cloud security priorities over the last two years. Based on a global survey of industry professionals, the report identifies today's 11 most critical cloud security issues. Identity, AI, third-party resources, and API threats dominate the cloud landscape.
Inadequate Identity and Access Management ranks as the leading threat in 2026. This reflects the growing risks from excessive permissions, non-human identities, poorly managed credentials, and federated trust relationships.
Two AI security risks also enter the rankings for the first time: AI-Enhanced Attacks encompass the various ways adversaries use AI to improve and automate their attacks. AI System Compromise addresses the manipulation or abuse of AI models, data, agents, tools, and pipelines.
For each cloud security threat, the report examines the technical and business impacts, real-world examples, and practical mitigations. It also maps relevant guidance and controls from CSA’s Security Guidance v5 and AI Cloud Controls Matrix v1.1.
Key Takeaways:
- The 11 highest-priority cloud security threats in 2026
- How AI is becoming both an attack enabler and a target
- How to strengthen governance for both human and non-human identities
- How to address risks across APIs, third-party dependencies, software development, and cloud data
- How to improve visibility, change control, resilience, and AI-specific security
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Best For:
- CISOs & Security Program Managers
- Cloud Security Architects & Engineers
- AI Security Professionals
- GRC Professionals
- Incident Response Teams
